AnotherMe

Hi truckin, Yep, having the same problem here.. I had surgery last October, and the past 2-3 months I've noticed severe shedding. More so recently... I went to get my haircut this week, and she styled it with a "wet" look and you could see clear thru to my scalp! It almost makes me want to cry. There are so many things it could be, this runs in my family (grandma, mom), job stress, but I'm sure it has a lot to do with not getting enough calories/protein/water/vitamins. I did a search and found several threads where the same issue has been discussed. I'm not sure if there's anything we can do to stop it, seems I'm in the shedding stage and it might all fall out before it starts with the growth stage. I started taking a Vitamin E tablet each day, plan to pick up a bottle of Biotin vitamin (CVS sells their brand in tablets of 100 or so), also the stylist at Fantastic Sams recommended I use a reconstructive treatment conditioner every other day - so I bought a 6 oz tube and tried it today (she gave me a plastic cap and said to apply the conditioner, put on the cap and wear for 20-30 minutes before washing out). Seems softer, not sure if it will do anything. I was so close to purchasing some Rogaine at walgreens the other day, but I'm cheap. I'm sorry to say I don't have THE answer, but I wanted to let you know that you are not alone! I need to have a heart-to-heart with myself, make better food choices and take better care of myself. I CAN do it! I'm going to start with a notebook and begin journaling my food/water intake (everything). My goal this week is to workout during lunch and meet my Water intake. small steps. Keep in touch, Karla

Hey there fellow thirtysomethings! Let's here an update on how you are, what you've been up to this summer? Have you had any neat summer vacations you can share? Liz... are you excited about your surgery in a couple of days?!! Let us know how it goes, report back when you feel like it. BigGirlP.. how goes it with the foot fracture/recovery? Are you onto the solid stage yet? How's your banding recovery going? I'm hoping you're all doing good well, let's keep this thread going! All the best, Karla

Jenna, big THANKS for coordinating this cruise! I appreciate all the time & effort you've given for the cause! I'm in official countdown mode, really looking forward to this adventure. :dance: Thanks also to Elisa for her help with booking thru the agency! I'm sure you had your hands full trying to reach everyone (different time zones and such), it wasn't an easy job and I also appreciate your time and attention. Everybody spread the word to all of your LBT friends, it's going to be fun and there's still room! It's affordable, you DESERVE it! Karla

JMO, I forgot to mention to check with your doc if the redness/swelling you mentioned around your port site gets worse. I kept the bandaid company in business, because every other day or so I was at the store picking up another box of 3" or 4" sizes to keep my sites covered! A good way to tell if it's spreading is to circle the area with a pen or fine tip marker... if the redness continues/goes past the pen mark I would contact the Dr. It never hurts to err on the side of caution. Ask them if they recommend a topical cream, to cover or not, etc take care of yourself,

Chrissie and Tonja, isn't this site grand! You gals are making friends already Congratulations on making your decision on the Band! I remember how excited I was when I went to my first seminar, the hope I felt after was almost like a high... I remember all of the anxious feelings, mixed with happiness! I became addicted to LBT and learned so much :target: I took 7 mo to make my decision. (No WLS insurance coverage - so, I went the self pay route)... but in all that time it was never far from my mind, I just had to decide for myself it was right for me! I wish you all the best,

JMO, Congratulations on your surgery! My surgery was Oct last year, but I STILL remember how sore I felt moving around and getting in/out, up/down I also tired quickly, best advice I can give is to take it slow and try to rest as much as you can. That's usually the hardest advice to take, because we're so busy taking care of others and making sure the house is in order. Try your best! I didn't have an appetite either, broth was my staple for the first couple of weeks. After your mushy stage, you'll slowly get your appetite back... often people will report they feel no restriction, but you have to be careful and continue to follow your post op instructions. My lower stomach "growled" for a couple of months before it finally got used to the empty feeling! It was a weird sensation. I wish all of you soon-to-be bandsters all of the best! take care,

Love cottage cheese! thenry, thanks for the recipe for the pancakes - I'll definitely be trying those this weekend FunnyD, bought the 4oz/4 pk Breakstones recently... I like them because they're individual containers and I can grab one to take with me to work. While a bit more expensive than the large container, I'll probably waste less and therefore save more buying the 4 pk. I was banded in Oct 2005, so it just goes to show you we can all learn from each other! While I'm very frugal, I'm slowly realizing that I can't purchase food like I used to. And, I'm love to find new snack sizes to take to work for the times I have a bit of head hunger. Beats going to the snack machine for those evil peanut m&ms!! Another Breakfast fave of mine is .... grits. But, I can only eat a few spoonfuls... I might have to try making them with a bit more liquid, or remove them from the heat before they firm up like I usually prefer. Do you guys have any good Feta recipes? I'm feeling like I need a bit more lunch variety. thanks!

Congratulations Christine! I agree, the first day I was a bit suprised how uncomfortable I felt moving around. I guess I thought since it was laproscopic (as opposed to open surgery) it would be easy? It was especially hard trying to get in/out of the car, chairs, bed. I slept in my recliner for about 8-10 days. I was stupid enough to go sit in traffic court the next day for 6 hours (another person caused a 4 car pile up about a year prior and the state wanted to make sure he & his insurance co took care of the damages).. well, if I had known it was an option to ignore the subpoena - I wouldn't have gone! The state's attorney said the other 3 people he hit were summoned too! And, I was the DUMMY who decided to show So, the next two days I was wiped out! I wasn't trying to be a hero and every 4 hours or so I took the liquid codeine the Dr subscribed. Try to get some rest before your trip home, and try to get in those liquids! broth was all I was interested in for the first week, slowly you'll feel like trying other things. Don't push your recovery, take your time! All the best,

Hi there! Congratulations on your surgery Dr Spivak was my surgeon as well (Oct 2005), and I had little to no complications. I hope your recovery goes very smoothly. Try to get lots of rest, and get those liquids in! Keep us updated on your progress, LBT is truly a great support site! All the best,

Really great thread! Like others, it took me a few hours to read all of the posts... I feel like I know you all by now Wow! The 80's bring back memories, right? Big hair, parachute pants, Z Cavaricci clothes.... who besides me can remember? Oh gosh, the flash backs! About me - I'll be 35 in another month (whew! that's hard to believe), I have a 9 yr old son and have been divorced for 6 years. I live in Houston TX. Boring stuff - I am work as a coordinator for a Healthcare manufacturing/supply Co to provide plated media for microbiology and instrument controls for coag, chemistry, and hematology. In March 2005 I began reseaching Lap Band surgery, by May I reached my highest weight of 256. After much consideration, I decided to self pay and was banded 10/10/05. At surgery my weight was 234, as of my 4th fill two months ago I was 199.4. I believe in the past 2 months I've lost another 8-10 lbs, I also think scales are the devil... don't own one! My goal is to be in the 140/145 range. Let's keep the thread going and show those 20's how we roll!!!

Hello to all my October 2005 Band Buddies! Where have the past 9 months gone?!!.... Can you believe in just a few short months it will be our 1 year "bandiversary" ?! I often think back to how anxious I was and how I fretted over the "unknown" of the surgery. How about you? Before surgery did you wonder how you were going to get thru the liquid and mushies stage?.... Only to find you weren't really hungry at all? Broth was my staple during those first few weeks, and I remember being more focused on recovery from the surgery than eating... I had to remind myself to heat up soup or eat a snack. How about everyone post a short update? Anything you wish to share.. What are you most proud of? Do you have any disappointments? Have you found something that really works for you? food, exercise? please share! For me, I try not to focus on the numbers on the scale. I don't even own a scale! Each time I go in for a fill, I'll jot down my weight and fill level... So, I do try to keep track of it. As a matter of fact it's been a couple of months since my last fill and I've been thinking it's time to schedule another small one. I believe I've lost approx 8-12 lbs since my last fill at the end of May! But, at times I feel very little restriction and would like to try another small fill. I have to admit.. I've been guilty of no regular exercise, although this summer I've taken my son to our neighborhood pool to swim 3 nights a week. Trust me, that is my greatest achievement.... prior to this summer it had been almost 3 years since I even put on my bathing suit!! Maybe it's me getting older? feeling more comfortable with my body? I don't feel like I have to hide, and I'm not as ashamed as I used to be.. I have to think it's because the band gave me the ability to lose this much... I'm determined to keep plowing away at the remaining 55 lbs or so! I made a commitment to myself this week to find an excersie program, to take my vitamins, and drink my water! These have been my disappointments, I'm much better at taking care of others... I have to take better care of myself. Well, let's hear from YOU. How are you doing? All the best,

Hello from Houston! I just wanted you to know you are not alone.... I'm a divorced mom of 1 and my employer also has WLS exclusion on our policy. I first learned about Lap Band in March 2005 and thought long and hard about it.... had surgery Oct 2005. For myself, I decided I would keep my 6 year old car (paid for) - saved my tax refund $ and took a loan against my 401K for other half in order to self pay for the Lap Band - with the possiblity of not having a new car for a loooong time. The thing is, since we're mothers, it's in our nature to take care of everyone else first. YOU deserve to put your health first.... at least consider all options. I thought about different financing, researched several Dr's in Mexico.. but, finally decided to have a wonderful local doc perform my surgery.. while more expensive, I feel more comfortable regarding aftercare. I wish you all the best,

Hi Rose! Isn't this site great? Many wonderful people and honest information. I wish you the best on your journey. You're doing the right thing in researching your options. Welcome to LBT!

Hello! the following thread on the FAQ forum should help http://www.lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=16218 all the best,

Susan, Congratulations! I'm wishing you a speedy recovery! Don't be surprised if you're not hungry for the next week or so... Try your best to sip a little bit of broth every 3-4 hours, to keep your energy at least. When the anesthesia wears off you may be sore, take the pain meds the Dr prescribed.. don't try to be a hero :eek: Give yourself time to heal, take it easy as much as possible. All the best,

Jenna! Great idea! I've checked with my childcare coordinator (read: parents) and we're good to go! If the transfers are a problem for anyone, I live in Houston and could probably fit one or two people (who pack light) into my small car for the trip from the airport to Galveston. OR, for any of those who may be arriving the Saturday before maybe we can plan to meet for a short dinner so that we'll recognize faces upon boarding. Jenna, I'll PM you all of my details... thanks for coordinating this event!

Hi! My experience was the 2nd & 3rd days were the hardest, the only thing that helped with the pain was the liquid tylenol w/codiene I was able to take every 4-6 hours. By the morning of the 4th day I started to wean myself off and as the swelling went down I felt much better. I slept in my recliner for the 1st two weeks, it was very comfortable. I highly recommend it. I used the heating pad on my shoulder where the gas pain was.. seemed to help quite a bit, so if you're using it around your abdomen, move it to your sore shoulder to see if it helps. Keep taking the chewable gas-x, and although sad (but true) walking will help! Remember to REST as much as possible, call your Dr's office if it gets worse. Make sure your having some warm broth every 3-4 hours, and with a little bit more time you'll begin to feel better. All the best,

Hi friends, This sounds like fun! I voted for the 27th. Trying to think of a healthy & tasty dish I could bring.... Maybe once the results from the poll are in and a date is decided, we'll confirm who is definitely coming and what they've decided to bring?

Wow! GREAT NEWS! congratulations on your approval! I personally don't think you have much to worry about as far as the stats go. I found after the anesthia wore off on the evening of day 2 I was feeling zapped of energy and my whole abdomen was sore. I recommend taking at least a week off from work if you can. I had surgery Monday went to work Friday but was definitely feeling the pain. I'm now 9 days out and still have some discomfort sitting in front of my computer. As long as you rest and try not to do too much, you should recover quickly. Gosh! our stats are very similar -- I don't think you have to worry about the "elderly" part!! all the best,

Great news Melanie!! CONGRATULATIONS! Wow, $ 20 per visit is cheap! Ask them to send that to you in writing! You must have really great insurance! Mine sucks, so I decided to self-pay and had my surgery last week 10/10. Slowly but surely I'm feeling better. Where in TX do you live? And who's your Dr? sorry if I missed this info before, I'm a bit behind on reading posts lately. All the best,

Happy Sunday! How is everyone? Wow, seems like I've been in a fog the past few days! Eileen - I love the way you're so happy and see the joy out of each day Lifts me up! Hope you get some dry weather REAL soon! Can't wait 'til you hear back from Ins about your approval. Rene - How did jury duty go? Nothing more than a wasted day? Did you get some reading done? Keep fighting with that insurance co!!! I wish you all the best on your appeal. Betty - I LOVE shopping too. I think it's because I'm such a cheapskate and love to get bargains... But, I also hate putting things away. Seems like once you put it away you don't have anything to show for spending the money. Weird I know How was your ride yesterday? Was the weather sunny and in the 80's ? As for me, I'm still recovering. Did too much earlier this week, I think to some degree I was still feeling the effects from anesthia - which was dulling the pain. But by Wednesday evening I was wiped out - sore & achy. I was supposed to go back to work Thursday but took another day to rest. I had my Rx pain med re-filled and slept off and on. I was feeling real good Friday morning, took a shower and got dressed for work. After the school bus picked up my son, I left for work. Well, I have the most difficulty sitting up and halfway there was feeling terrible and nauseous. I suffered through 6 hours and finally left at 2:30 to go home and lay in the recliner. Saturday I rested all day, seems like my appetite has returned - I find myself going to the kitchen for something soft to eat. Today I'm off to the grocery store and back to rest. I want to be able to work tomorrow with little discomfort. Hope you all have a GREAT day!

Hi Becky! Happy Birthday! Sounds like you have wonderful family & friends that have planned some nice birthday events for you! You'll probably be too busy to "overdo it" - just have fun and eat if you're hungry! Try to get by with a small piece of cake at each event. By the end of all of the festivities you'll be proud of yourself! Have a GREAT day!

Hi Melissa, I did low carbs and drank huge amounts of water: Breakfast - I would have 2 cooked eggs or a South Beach Diet Cereal Bar lunch - I would take one of the South Beach Diet wraps (in the lunchmeat section by the Oscar Meyer Lunchables) snack - I would have a small handful of peanuts dinner - meat (pork chop, steak) with a green vegetable snack - I made a different flavor of sugar free Jello each night and would have approx 1 cup. One of my pre-op requirements was to have an endscopy and when I was weighed at that procedure I was 255, I just had band surgery this Monday and weighed 234. Other good things to snack on: almonds 2 carbs, no sugar added fudgesicles only had 4 net carbs, carb control yougurt, sliced lunchmeat. I did not go to the gym during this time, I never have the energy when I get home from work. If you do low carbs, it's important to remember to take your daily Vitamin. My doctor recommend this diet, and I followed it because it is supposed to help shrink your liver which helps with the surgery. All the best,

Hello! Welcome to LBT! Sounds like you are starting a very adventuresome journey! New house, new car, both surgeries... How did the reduction go? Did it take a while to recover? Congratulations on setting your date for Lap Band surgery... I had my surgery this past Monday morning 10/10... http://www.lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=10607 I am feeling better and better by the day, the most important thing is to not do too much (I learned the hard way). AND, remember to take the pain meds every 4 hours (learned this the hard way too, the pain was making me very nauseas). I've slept in the recliner for the past 3 nights and plan to for a couple more just to be safe. I was expecting to go back to work today, but wanted to give myself one more day of rest. My abdomen is still very sore, and getting in and out of chairs is particularly difficult... in trying not to bend at the stomach, I've been squatting into the chair and this has made my calves very sore... but I also suffer from occasional leg cramps, so it might be because I have not had enough potassium in the past 3 days. I'd be willing to bet that you will feel just fine taking your children trick-or-treating by 10/31... you may feel a little winded, but once your 2 or 3 days post surgery - try taking a short walk down the street (even for just 2 minutes).. go a little bit further each day. Congratulations on making this important decision for yourself, it's great that your husband is supportive and even considering this journey himself! All the best,

Hi All! I've been consumed with reading LBT the past few days.. Me and a few other buddies on the October bandsters list are having surgery this week. http://www.lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=10439&highlight=October+bandsters For me - tomorrow morning at 6:30 A.M. I was wondering what you wore the day of surgery? The pre-op nurse said it had to be verrry loose.. maybe pajama bottoms and a button front shirt? For the ladies, did most of you wear your bra? there but not home I'm guessing? I have serveral things on my list to do today .. 1) Laundry (multitasking as we speak) 2) Shave hairy legs! 3) wash dishes etc... any other household chores you guys can think of? that you wish you completed prior to surgery? thanks for the help!